Sex Criminals Volume 4 Fourgy!

It was ok. Some progress... but really nothing super interesting happening!

It's been so long since I last read Sex Criminals... like a year? They stopped publishing for a year or so so yeah... that sucked. And... I liked it. It's in the same pace and well, the only problem I was having was with the story, it looks like it's going nowhere.. yeah it's fun and funny and all sex-criminal-y and stuff but nothing too exciting is happening, or interesting for me personally, so I think I'm going to once again drop it and buy the next volume instead of the issues. Oh well, it was good. Funny and serious and weird and creepy and everything in between.

“It was like we were at sea together and had to figure out how to make a boat work.” 2.5 stars I am so disappointed with this volume... it was so boring and didn't have the same vibe as the others. The only good part was Alix. I'm so sad I was really looking forward to this volume but it's FINE

I need this to go back to having a plot.

I have been waiting not so patiently for almost an entire year for a new issue of Sex Criminals. There's not another comic like it, nothing as sexual or raw but equally as funny and dramatic and thoughtful. It's truly one of a kind and I have truly missed it. The (really supersized bumper) issue starts with a recap (which honestly, you kind of need after ten months) and Matt Fraction is as conversational and meta as always, and funny, never forget how funny this comic is. So after a ten page recap we finally get into the issue, which is essentially all about Jon and Suze's relationship and them trying to figure out what they want in the future and how they're going to fit into each other's lives and their goals. Jon is kinda reluctant, but Suze isn't pushing it, and the kind of have some sort of plan written down in between all the sex they're having. It's nice and sweet in a way. These guys are slightly directionless, but they're trying to make it work, and that's something really relatable. We didn't get a ton of development with the sex cops or any character who isn't Jon or Suze but it was just nice to be back in this world. Man I've missed Matt and Chip.

Sex Criminals consistently manages to talk about sex and relationships in a surprisingly nuanced fashion for a story that involves being able to stop time through orgasms. Volume 4 gets us deeper into the characters, but I must admit that I felt like the story is dragging. Jon has problems. Shocking. We're not really digging into them, but wallowing in what we already know. Suzie is sick of this shit, good on her. Dr. Kincaid and Dave go on a date, but the scenes feel lecture-y. Which, to be fair, is unsurprising for Kincaid, but I admit to be sensitive to narratives that end up feeling like classes rather than stories. There's a new dude with strange sex golems and his entire story doesn't make much sense. This volume meanders, touching on too many things and not leading anywhere much. Hopefully the next book bounces back to its full awesome self!

Sex Criminals Volume 3 is... very experimental. There are new characters, one of which is delightfully odd (an anime magic girl made of certain body fluids), and the other a very important example of representation for asexuality. There's also an interesting meta conversation replacing a planned fight between characters that dealt with some issues in a unique and well considered manner. Not much happens in this volume as it seems to be setting the stage for what is coming next. But it's still enjoyable, a bit strange, and unlike any other comic on the market.

2.5 First volume was great, Second volume lost a step and this one was just weird and meh.

This series is so weird. Interesting, and a good look at relationships, but also, I couldn't tell you what is actually going on.

Further adventures and sex-capades, just not quite as much fun as the first few volumes and not quite as narrowly focused on Suzie and Jon (my favorites). The end of this volume also left me on a down note. I also noticed more panels per page, which made it a bit harder to read for me. I adored the large full page spreads in the last issue of the volume.